Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Officially Welcome the Whitten Math & Sciences Center on Campus

After nearly two years of construction, amid a global pandemic, the new Whitten Math & Sciences Center gleams brightly on a sunny morning as a small gathering of student leaders, some math & science faculty, and the Head of School commemorate the opening of the new center with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

In order to include all students, the ceremony was held two days in a row to celebrate with students from both the Green and Gold cohorts.

Chris Border, Math & Computer Science chair spoke about gratitude in the face of unexpected challenges, such as a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

“I hope we remember each day we walk through these doors that we remember the challenges we faced to get to this moment.”

Border went on to explain that unexpected challenges is what the new Center is able to best provide for our students. He believes that through their understanding of our math and science curriculum they will be preparing their minds for solving those new questions in life that don’t yet have answers.

Luckily Overlake students have a lot of opportunity to practice the important skill of collaboration while working through some of life’s questions. Upper School ASB President, Allie P. (’21) spoke about her work with other students as being the foremost important skill she’s learned.

“What I most appreciate in the new Center is that there are so many spaces for student collaboration, from the impressive amount of study areas to the Idea lab, where I’m sure so much more learning and friendships will take place.”

To cap off the celebrations, long-time Science faculty, Lisa Orenstein cut the ribbon to the Whitten Math & Sciences Center and invited everyone in for a look around, or to enjoy some ice cream provided by Ben & Jerry’s outside.

Here’s a slideshow of the day’s events along with a replay of the live event.

Capital Campaign Update

We are so grateful to the 300+ donors who have come together to support this transformational project. Thanks to their contributions, Overlake has raised $17.1 million toward the $19 million needed to fully fund the Whitten Math & Sciences Center. If you have not yet made your gift, we would be honored to have your support. Every donor will be included on the donor wall (which will be updated again this summer), and thanks to our Owls All in Challenge, gifts and pledges will continue to be matched (or tripled if your employer offers a matching gifts program). Many donors have chosen to contribute appreciated stocks to avoid taxes and/or make multi-year pledges to have the biggest impact.

To learn more about the $35 million, three-phase Doors to Discovery capital campaign, the Whitten Math & Sciences Center, additional naming opportunities, and more, please visit overlake.org/discovery or contact Director of Development Brisen Brady at bbrady@overlake.org or 425-868-1000.